Six specific instances in which supplemental instruction (SI) leaders guide student inquiry in college algebra and calculus are described. The active learning strategies used in the situations are analyzed, focusing on the role of the leader and the support provided by SI leader training and supervision. (MSE)

Discusses the objectives, organization, assessment, student reactions, and evaluation of an abstract algebra course in which small-group instruction was used. Concludes that better understanding is achieved and the students assimilate more concepts using this method, although the pace is slower than that in a traditional classroom setting.…

Examples of subroutines that generate both symbolic and graphic solutions to differential equations are presented for the two computer algebra systems, MAPLE and Mathematica. Included are the listings for the Mathematica procedures developed for use in this article. (JJK)

Presents a theoretical framework based on interviews with undergraduate students and written questionnaires to study how undergraduate students cope with abstract algebra concepts. Indicates that students' responses can be interpreted as a result of reducing the level of abstraction. Examines the theme of reducing abstraction based on three…

Reported is a two-part study to identify factors that contribute to student success in a remedial mathematics course for first-year college students. Data from 263 students testing into remedial algebra was collected on 3 academic variables, 2 affective variables, and class attendance. Multivariate analysis results failed to find moderate…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of the Casio 9850 and the TI-85 graphing calculators on college students' procedural skills and conceptual understanding in two different developmental mathematics courses. The courses used in this study were Elementary Algebra and Intermediate Algebra. Both the non-graphing calculator group…

Currently, in Texas public schools, there is a shortage of teachers holding secondary mathematics teaching certification. Many teachers have limited access to professional development opportunities due to occupational commitments, geographic proximity, family obligations, or inconvenience of transportation. However, with the incorporation of…

Proposes an account of mechanisms by which students develop knowledge structures for modeling the physical world with algebra. (Author/CCM)

Compares the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and conventional instruction (CI) for teaching a developmental education mathematics course to African-American college students. Results revealed statistically significant difference on the algebra posttest. Students in the CAI section had significantly higher attitudes toward…

Describes a teaching experiment in which spreadsheets and computer algebra systems were used to teach a low-level college consumer mathematics course. Students were successful in using different types of functions to solve a variety of problems drawn from real-world situations. Provides an existence proof that computer algebra systems can assist…

Research has often found little or no significant differences in overall performance for math students using graphing calculators compared to traditional (non-calculator) classes. However, when performance is divided into procedural and conceptual levels, significant differences appear at the conceptual level. This study investigates the relation…

Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) can be used to help understand the behavior of cubics and other families of curves. The analysis of the parameters associated with a family of curves can give insight into the behavior of the family and can be used within the context of a mathematical model to determine a policy for the implementation of the model in…

Described is a decomposition theory from which the Cayley-Hamilton theorem, the diagonalizability of complex square matrices, and functional calculus can be developed. The theory and its applications are based on elementary polynomial algebra. (KR)

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of the TI-81 Graphics Calculator as an instructional tool on college algebra students' conceptual and procedural achievements involving functions and graphs and on the students' attitudes toward mathematics. The study was a posttest-only, equivalent control group design conducted with students…

Discusses the teaching of linear algebra with and without computer software. Considers class format with regard to computer usage, the effect of holding classes in the computer laboratory, homework, computer projects, and student responses. Appendices contain topic tutorials and sample computer projects. (DDR)